To finish the ceiling today, a wide variety of materials are used, which serve as a decorative element for different rooms. At the same time, they undeservedly forget about such a convenient material as PVC panels.
Of course, hardly anyone will agree to finish the ceiling in the living room or bedroom with such material, since the showiness in PVC panels is clearly not enough. But for use in rooms with high humidity, this option is just perfect.
What is the advantage of PVC panels
In fact, DIY PVC panel ceiling is perhaps the most practical choice for use in utility rooms where all surfaces are constantly exposed to dirt or moisture.
In our case, all maintenance of the ceiling consists in wiping the surface with a dry or damp cloth. In this case, you can safely use various detergents, with the exception of abrasive scouring powders, which can scratch the coating.
Do-it-yourself PVC panel ceilings are, according toin fact, hinged, so they are able to hide all the flaws and irregularities of the native base. All that is required of you is to knock down strongly protruding parts of the surface. Another advantage of the suspended ceiling is the ability to carry out additional hidden ventilation, as well as to hide the electrical wiring necessary for the equipment of the room under it. In addition, spotlights can be installed in such a ceiling, with which you can create different lighting and diversify the interior of the room.
Imaginary shortcomings of PVC panels
The perceived cost of PVC panels is slightly exaggerated, in fact, the cost of PVC is not so high compared to other finishing materials. Even if you hire workers to install the ceiling, the work will be less expensive than, say, plastering the same surface. And if you make a ceiling from PVC panels with your own hands, then the costs will be reduced even more. In addition, a lot depends on the manufacturer that produces this finishing material.
However, it's also not worth chasing cheapness, but you need to approach the issue of buying quite seriously. By purchasing very cheap panels, you risk getting a low-quality product, and then the next imaginary flaw will become real. It is not uncommon for PVC panels to be accused of increased fire hazard and poisoning with harmful substances that are allegedly emitted from them. In fact, the material produced by a manufacturer responsible for the quality of its products meets allsafety standards. And unpleasant incidents happen due to the fault of unscrupulous manufacturers.
PVC panel sizes
Another issue that should be given special attention is the calculation of the number of panels required for installation. In addition, you need to decide on the dimensions of the material, since the panels are produced in several sizes. With a constant thickness of 10mm, there can be different lengths, equal to 2.7m, 3m, 4m, 6m and width 10cm, 20cm, 25cm.
Therefore, when making ceilings from PVC panels with your own hands, it is better to choose the closest in size, this will save you from unnecessary trimming of the material and its overspending.
As a rule, for large rooms such as a garage, the largest panels with a length of 6 m and a width of 25 cm are used. For living rooms with the same width, choose a shorter option with a length of 2, 7 or 3 m, depending on which size fits best. PVC panels are sold usually in a pack of 6 pcs.
How to calculate the required number of PVC panels
When calculating the required number of panels, you should follow the basic rule: the length of the panel should be equal to or slightly larger than one of the sides of the ceiling. This is due to the fact that it will not work to connect the cut panels without seams, which, as a rule, turn out to be rather sloppy. In addition, immediately decide in which direction the PVC panels will be installed on the ceiling with your own hands, the choice of the length of the material also depends on this.
Ifa small room, for example, one of the sides is 2 m, you can take a panel 4 m long and cut it in half, the cut will still be hidden under the ceiling plinth.
Do not forget about the width of the panels, which you need to choose in such a way that the material has to be cut very little or completely eliminate this procedure. This approach will significantly reduce the consumption of material, and, accordingly, the cash costs for it.
Panel ceiling installation methods
Finishing the ceiling with plastic panels with your own hands is done in two ways.
If you are the happy owner of an absolutely even and smooth ceiling with perfectly accurate horizontality, then PVC panels can be glued to the surface with special glue or liquid nails.
In all other cases, the installation takes place according to the technology similar to the manufacture of a false ceiling. In this case, you will hide all the irregularities and flaws in the surface, and, if necessary, return the ceiling to horizontal.
Before you make a ceiling from panels with your own hands, you need to make a frame for it from profiles. It is quite easy to build such a device, all you need is profiles, which can be made of metal, wood or plastic, and a tool.
Select profile material
When choosing a specific profile, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the room in which the ceiling will be mounted, and its microclimate.
The easiest to install is the woodena bar measuring 50x40 mm, and slats 25x50 for the crate. However, it should be borne in mind that such material should not be mounted in rooms with high humidity without prior treatment with moisture-repellent and antiseptic agents.
Metal profile, as a rule, is used for reasons of durability and reliability of fastening. Therefore, this material is used in rooms with an impressive area or if a significant number of heavy fixtures are planned, which is also mainly applicable for large spaces.
Plastic profile, making do-it-yourself PVC panel ceilings, is mainly used in small wet rooms, for example, in a bathroom or bathroom.
Frame manufacturing technology
Installation of a wooden frame and a base from a profile, whether plastic or metal, are somewhat different, but the main point remains the main point. First of all, you need to determine the level at which the ceiling of PVC panels will pass with your own hands.
Markup instructions.
Using a level, determine the lowest point of the base, along which marks are made on all walls and a connecting line is drawn. A little lower, at a distance of 5-6 cm, another level is marked, which will be the main one for the future ceiling. The most convenient for these purposes is the laser level, but in the absence of such, you can use the usual building one.
On the ceiling itself, markings are made for fastening ceiling beams or profiles within steps of 50 cm. How the marking lines will pass depends on the direction in which the panels, beams and profiles themselves will be attached and must run perpendicular to them. Attachment points are marked along the drawn lines. When marking, keep in mind that the panel joints should fall in the middle of the beam.
Installation of wooden frame
If it is planned to manufacture a wooden frame, the timber is treated with special means to prevent decay and water-repellent emulsions.
The timber is installed according to the marked markings and fastened to the ceiling with self-tapping screws, while trying to bring the lower edges horizontal. If this is not possible, the situation can be corrected by the subsequent execution of the lathing from the slats. To align the ceiling under the strips, additional gaskets are used. If an increased load is planned on the ceiling, for example, a heavy chandelier, in these places it is necessary to strengthen the frame with jumpers.
Production of frame from profiles
When installing a frame from profiles, the carriers are first installed on the walls along the main marking lines. Subsequently, ceiling profiles are laid in them, which are fixed with self-tapping screws. The gap between the profiles is about 50-60 cm.
If the room is large, the ceiling profile is additionally fixed with hangers, this will prevent the ceiling from sagging under its own weight. High load areas should also be reinforced.
After completing the frame from the profileimmediately conduct electrical wiring for lighting and equipment used. At the same time, it is necessarily laid in a corrugation, and loops of wire are left for spot panels.
Sheathing the frame with PVC panels
When making ceilings from PVC panels with your own hands, you should follow the following rules when finishing:
- When laying it is necessary to maintain a gap of 4-5 mm between the wall and the panels around the entire perimeter of the room.
- The first row of panels is inserted into the carrier profile located on the wall, all subsequent strips are snapped into the lock of the panels.
- The last row is laid most carefully, if the strip is larger than the remaining open opening, it is cut in width, and the cut is subsequently covered with a ceiling plinth.
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In order to firmly fix the lock fastening, it is permissible to use a light hammer. In this case, the tapping of the panel is carried out with a mandatory gasket from an unnecessary piece of the panel. At the same time, work must be carried out very carefully, since polyvinyl chloride is a rather brittle material.
All additional work, such as installing a skirting board or lighting, is carried out after the ceiling is made from panels with your own hands.
